Many Leeds United supporters have flocked to Twitter in order to respond to a post from Graham Smyth in which he shared a video of Ben White delivering a message to those at the Elland Road club.
White spent the entire 2019/20 campaign on loan in Yorkshire and played a key role for Marcelo Bielsa’s side as they secured promotion back to the Premier League, ending a 16-year absence from England’s top-flight.
The central defender played every single minute of Leeds’ Championship season and according to WhoScored.com, his average performance rating was an impressive 7.09/10 – highlighting the level of consistency with which he performed.
Having described his last year as “amazing” and admitting he’ll always have a soft spot for the club, here is how a sample of the Elland Road faithful have responded on social media.
Looks like he’s been crying ?
— LadyBielsa366 (@Lady_Blew_) September 1, 2020
You can see how chuffed he is to be back at Brighton can’t you? Like he’s found a penny and lost a tenner.
— Lowfields Road ? (@road_lowfields) September 1, 2020
His body language tells a different story to the contract he has just signed. I think it’s important that we try to sign him again next summer if we can. He brought so much to the team last season.
— Damien Cummins (@Damien_Cms) September 1, 2020
The poor lad looks devastated!! He should be at @LUFC!! He deserved to go to the club he wanted after the season he just had!! You’ll always have a special place in our hearts @ben6white
— Andrea Vickers (@AndreaV61659572) September 1, 2020
Do you think Ben White's body language suggests he is unhappy at Brighton?
Yes
No
It’s clear from the above responses that many of these Leeds supporters feel as though White appears upset at the fact the two clubs have been unable to agree on a deal that would have seen the 22-year-old extend his stay in Yorkshire. More fans continued to respond to the post in the replies.
Looks like he’s gonna cry. Misses Leeds. Wish him all the best. A true professional ??
— Tim Wilson ? (@ilmmad512) September 1, 2020
He looks about as happy as me ever Monday morning
— DeanoLUFC.Whites (@DeanoLUFC2) September 1, 2020
He’s almost crying. Normally when players say things like that they just trot it out, he really means it and he’s really upset at not being able to continue to be a part of it.
— Fact Check Phil Hay (@FactPhil) September 2, 2020
Bad bad decision ben
— John Hession (@kingybbb) September 1, 2020
White signed a new contract with Brighton earlier this week and it is one that could see him remain on the south coast until June 2024 (as per Transfermarkt.co.uk). Leeds recently completed the signing of Robin Koch from Freiburg in a deal reportedly worth £13m as Bielsa continues preparations for the Premier League season.